Our homes and offices are peppered with AC chargers for our various battery-powered devices. We have cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, video game controllers, digital cameras, etc., which all need that boost on a regular basis to keep themselves operational. Most of us have experienced what happens when our devices drain their batteries and we do not take time to recharge them—they “die” and do not function at all. Think about how this parallels our spiritual lives.
Like our battery-powered gadgets, our spiritual lives need to be charged and recharged on a regular basis in order to remain “operational.” And, when we fail to take time to devote ourselves to that task, we weaken, become sick and even die spiritually (cf. 1 Cor. 11:30). So, as Christians, what are some ways (perhaps some are obvious) that we can boost and recharge ourselves spiritually?
Study the word of God! Obviously to be strengthened, one must receive nourishment (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14). Faith comes from the word of God (Rom. 10:17), and Paul says it “is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32).
Meditate on God! Slow down and spend time meditating upon the word of God (Psa. 1:2), upon the work and works of God (Psa. 77:12; 143:5), upon the proper thoughts for a Christian (Phil. 4:8), upon God Himself (Psa. 63:6), and upon “the glorious splendor of [His] majesty” (Psa. 145:5).
Pray regularly! There are a number of ways to “draw near to God” (some already mentioned, some yet to be), but few compare with the blessing of approaching God, into His very presence, through prayer (cf. Heb. 4:16). “Are we weak and heavy laden?…Take it to the Lord in prayer!”
Worship every Lord’s day! In First Corinthians, those of whom Paul expressed concern that they were weak, sick and dying were those who were abusing the sacred privilege of worship (11:17-30). Worshiping God has tremendous power to recharge us spiritually and honor God in so doing.
Spend quality time with brethren! Our brothers and sisters in Christ have a unique, innate ability to build us up in the most holy faith (Jude 20), when we simply have fellowship with one another, and “pursue the things…by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19).
Brethren, we must recharge ourselves spiritually on a daily and weekly basis. There are other methods in addition to these, such as singing hymns, attending lectureships, etc. Let us not allow our spiritual batteries to be drained and die.